Here's how you can help animals affected by Hurricane Harvey

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Texas has never seen a storm like Hurricane Harvey before. It's buried Houston and its environs, and part of Louisiana, under water. More rain is coming in the next few days — as much as 50 inches are expected to fall on some parts of the area.

Two Houston dogs try to stay above the water.Lisa Hurley First

This is a near-impossible number to get your mind around, and photos and videos from the affected areas are utterly heartbreaking.

Even while dealing with this natural disaster, folks throughout the state and beyond are doing their best to make sure the animals affected by this hurricane aren't left to fend for themselves. It's heroic, selfless work and they can't do it alone.

The SPCA of Brazoria County, in addition to caring for its usual number of pets, also has a temporary shelter at the local fairgrounds. There, they've got an additional 150 dogs and puppies, 20 cats, 22 pot-bellied pigs, 10 regular pigs and 25 goats, as well as chickens and horses. They're anticipating the figure will increase significantly in the coming days as the flooding continues, and then again by even more when the waters recede.

Even before the storm, local animal rescue groups struggled to care for the city's mammoth homeless pet population. Many of these groups' resources are even more stretched now. They began taking in extra animals before the hurricane began, when these creatures were at risk of being left behind in unsafe conditions, like water-filled homes, chained up or out on the streets.

Many families have arrived at these shelters not knowing how long they'll be there, and without being able to bring enough supplies. So volunteers are helping make sure their dogs, cats and other companion animals have what they need for as long as they need it.

A boy and his dog at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston.Rescued Pets Movement

Many shelters and rescue groups farther afield are also pitching in — among them the Atlanta Humane Society, which brought 30 cats and dogs from a flooded Louisiana shelter up north.

This dog was found and brought to the SPCA of Brazoria County on Monday.SPCA of Brazoria County

As for how the animals get to their new destinations, it's everything from individual rescuers using their own cars and vans; to groups with dedicated resources for transport like Mission Miracle K9 Rescue; to the shelters themselves driving the animals from one place to the next. The Humane Society for the United States is coordinating massive transports, and volunteer pilots from Wings of Rescue are swooping through.

Your help is needed on a number of fronts. First and foremost: donations. Next, now is a great time to adopt a pet, or to become a foster — this frees up space in shelters and rescue groups, which leaves more capacity for bringing in pets from these storm-ravaged places. (Note that the pets being moved out of the area are generally those who were in the shelter before the storm, and were already up for adoption; these aren't pets separated from their owners due to the hurricane.)

And if you are affiliated with a shelter or rescue group yourself and have room for Harvey pets, or if you are able to help move animals from place to place, reach out to the shelters and rescues now trying their best to keep as many of these animals as safe as they can. Let them know what you can do.

Petco Foundation is currently giving out emergency grants and necessary supplies. After the storm the nonprofit will give out resources to help affected animal welfare groups recover. It's too soon to give a dollar amount for this storm; they gave out more than half a million dollars to help with recovery after last year's Louisiana floods.

Teams of HSUS and ASPCA rescuers are on the ground getting animals out of the actual floods, among other things. Best Friends also has an emergency response team, and has sent down animal sheltering, handling and transport experts in addition to giving out disaster relief funds. Volunteers with RedRover are coordinating efforts with the SPCA of Texas to provide temporary shelter to animal evacuees.

As for how you can help, you might be sensing a theme: Donations are needed. Best Friends Animal Society is currently operating at the Pet Reunion Pavilion at NRG Arena in Houston. People can visit Best Friends’ Amazon.com wish list and donate today to help the organization continue to care for animals still looking for forever homes.

An evacuee dog at the the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston.Rescued Pets Movement

Harvey was so much worse than anyone expected that it seems nearly inevitable that some pets would wind up in harm's way. Even with the incredible efforts to save as many of these animals as possible, there is no doubt that when the flooding subsides there will be some real horrors revealed.

To give your own pets the best chances of staying safe in the event of a natural disaster — for their sake, your sake and so others' lives aren't put at risk trying to save them — Tim Rickey, the ASPCA's vice president of field investigations and response, recommends following some guidelines:

Do everything in your power to take your pets with you if you evacuate. Make sure your pets have on collars with up-to-date tags, and that their microchip information is also current.

Have a pet emergency kit on hand, with water, bowls, food and medication. Arrange with a friend, relative or neighbor to be your pets' designated caregiver if you're not able to do it yourself.

If the worst comes to pass and you can't bring your pets, be sure there is a rescue alert sticker on your window so emergency responders know animals are inside. Let your local emergency management office know your pets need rescue.

And "never tether your pet to a pole or tree, which prevents your pet from escaping high waters and getting to a safe area until they can be rescued," Rickey said.

MY NEIGHBOR HAS HIS DOG TIED UP OUTSIDE AND MY STREET IS STARTING TO FLOOD. The police said they can't do anything. Do I just take him?? pic.twitter.com/LbMoxosSJU

Should you and your pets become separated, there are a number of online resources that can help reconnect you — city-specific lost and found pet Facebook pages, for example. Check with your local animal shelters; go in person if you can.

Some nonprofits are helping care for pets sheltering with their families at The George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston. Rescued Pets Movement

These shelters will probably have been caring for your community's lost, stray and abandoned pets through the worst of the dangers. They, like you, will want nothing more than for your animals and you to be able to go back home together.